Question on FS '39-S Jefferson

foodude

Are there two reverse types for the '39-S? One with clear steps, and one with wavy steps? (Like the two types of '39 proofs) What does it take for the '39-S with wavy steps to be FS per PCGS? Pics to show the answer would help.

seanq

To answer your first question, both type one (Steps of 1938)and type two (Steps of 1940) steps are found on all three mints in 1939. If you have access to the PCGS Pop Report, you will see both types listed for all three mints.

I wish I knew what PCGS considers Full Steps of 1938. I've only submitted one that I considered FS (a 1938-D) and it came back without the designation.


Sean Reynolds

centmaster

FS is hard to get designated on the reverse of '38. There have to be no ticks at all, but even more difficult, the steps also can't have any bridges to them (2 steps running together.) You can check the PCGS pops, but they are skewed. When PCGS first started designating FS on their holders, they put Rev. of '38 on all FS 1939 coins from all 3 mints, when most of them really are rev. of '40. They've gotten it right since, but only recently, and it seems only specialists know this. Don't pay big money for a Rev. '38 holder without checking that it really is the rev. of '38. There's a thread on this topic in the registry set forum this week: the 39P rev. of '38 apparently has generated some attention as a true rarity in full steps. The D and S mints are tough, too, and also valuable by many multiples of the rev. of '40 price.

clackamas

You need 5 complete lines without the weakness from the 6th step removing part of the fifth step enough to contact the line between the 5th and 4th. Does this make sense? You can have "as struck" bridges between the upper steps as long as you have that full 5th step. The normal, hits, ticks, etc. that bridge will be killers as well. Get a 5th complete step and you have a shot regardless if you have bridges from the dies on the upper steps.

The graders are looking for strike. FS coins are well struck, the rev of 38 coins never had full steps to begin with so the strike of the intended detail is what is being considered.